STEPSTICK DRV8825

v1.0 DATASHEET

Author

Bart Meijer

Date

21st of October 2013

Document version

1.0

ReprapWorld.com

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The stepstick DRV8825 is a breakout board for the Texas Instruments DRV8825
stepper motor controller. You can use this board to act as interface between your
microcontroller and stepper motor. The DRV8825 is able to deliver up to 2.5A and
can be controlled with a simple step/direction interface. The controller has a
resolution of min. 1/32 step and protective features for over-current, short circuit
and over-temperature. See the DRV8825 Datasheet for details on the DRV8825
controller.
The stepstick DRV8825 supersedes the stepstick A4988, which has been
discontinued. The aim is for the stepstick DRV8825 to be a drop-in replacement
for Stepstick A4988.

SAFETY WARNINGS
Always disconnect the power source from the board before unplugging the
stepper motor and/or adjusting the current. Failure to do so may result in
permanent damage to the board and/or injuries due to high voltage spikes.
The stepper driver may get HOT, do not touch the device until it had a few
minutes to cool down after operation.
It is recommended to drive the stepper motor on current as low as possible to
reduce power consumption and increase lifespan.
It is NOT recommended to turn the stepper motor while connected to the
electronics. While turning the stepper motor, large voltages may be emitted
through the VMOT pin, which can damage the electronics.

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Controller

DRV8825

Operating Voltage (logic)

3-5.25V

Operating Voltage (vmot)

12-24V

Max current

2.5A

Dimensions

20.4x15.6mm

MAJOR FEATURES
DRV8825
Powerful DRV8825 with
High current driver capable up to 2.5A
Six different step resolutions: full-step,
half-step, 1/4-step, 1/8-step, 1/16-step, and
1/32-step
Protection against over-temperature and
over-current
No logic voltage required

Adjustable current
Using the trimpot on the board you can easily turn
the current up or down. Turn left to lower the current,
right to output a higher current.

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

OTHER FEATURES

Four layer high quality PCB board

Pre-soldered, no need to solder the headers

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
The following diagram lists the pins and show an example circuit.

Name

Description

Enable

Enable/disable the stepper driver

HIGH Disable
LOW Enable *

M0 M2 Step resolution setting, see chapter 'step resolution configuration'

RESET

Enable/disable the H-bridge output *

LOW Disable *
HIGH Enable

SLEEP

Enable/disable low-power sleep mode

LOW Sleep *
HIGH Active

STEP

LOW HIGH, move one step

DIR

LOW / HIGH switches direction

VMOT

Motor power (12-24V)

GND

System ground

FAULT

LOW when the stepper driver is in fault condition. You can provide 5V
on this pin for compatibility with stepstick A4988

* this is the default state when the pin is not connected

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

STEP RESOLUTION CONFIGURATION

The DRV8825 had six step resolution modes, which can be configured using the
M0-M2 pins on the stepstick DRV8825. The following table lists the step resolution
settings:
M0
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High

M1
Low
Low
High
High
Low
Low
High
High

M2
Low
Low
Low
Low
High
High
High
High

Resolution
Full step
Half step
1/4 step
1/8 step
1/16 step
1/32 step
1/32 step
1/32 step

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

COMPATIBILITY WITH REPRAP HARDWARE

The stepstick DRV8825 should be compatible with most RepRap hardware
available. The following images show how to insert the stepstick DRV8825 in the
most populair RepRap hardware.
Megatronics
The orientation of the stepstick is indicated with the trimpot, marked with a red
circle.

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

RAMPS
The orientation of the stepstick is indicated with the trimpot, marked with a red
circle.

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com

TROUBLESHOOTING
The stepper motor does - Check if the power is enabled
old torque (you can
- Is the ENABLE pin LOW?
rotate the stepper
- Are SLEEP and RESET put HIGH?
motor by hand)
The motor is losing
steps while turning

- When the chip overheats the thermal protection will

disable the device. Turn down the trimpot.
- You may have not enough torque, turn the trimpot to
the right to increase current.

Stepstick DRV8825 Datasheet Reprapworld.com